Arkansas to appeal ruling on execution drugs

Tuesday

Jul 18, 2017 at 12:01 AM

Arkansas News Bureau

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas is appealing a judge’s ruling that allowed a lawsuit over the state’s acquisition of execution drugs to proceed.

Attorney General Leslie Rutledge’s office filed a notice Friday that it is appealing an order issued last week by Pulaski County Circuit Judge Alice Gray that denied a motion by the state to dismiss the suit by McKesson Medical-Surgical.

The company alleges in the suit that Arkansas obtained one of its drugs, vecuronium bromide, under false pretenses and is seeking an order barring the state from using the drug in executions.

Gray granted a preliminary injunction in April to bar the state from using the drug in executions, but the state Supreme Court vacated that ruling. The state already has given notice that it is appealing the injunction.

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson scheduled eight executions for April, four of which were carried out. Court stays delayed the other four.

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